There’s a new way to get from State Road 56 to State Road 54, in Wesley Chapel.
The extension of Wiregrass Ranch Boulevard, between the two state highways, opened on Aug. 12.
The completed project is expected to improve traffic heading north and south through Wesley Chapel, and to provide an alternative to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, another route for north and south travel.
Prior to the extension, Wiregrass Ranch Boulevard was only partially open, ending at Chancey Road that came off Bruce. B Downs, and ended near the gated communities of Estancia and Esplanade.
Work is underway to extend Chancey Road to the east, where it ultimately will create a new intersection at Meadow Pointe Boulevard, just north of State Road 56 headed east.
The new Wiregrass Extension, heading south, eventually turns into Mansfield Boulevard at State Road 56, with Mansfield passing by the Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus, Wiregrass Ranch High School and Dr. John Long Middle School.
The road, heading north, ends at State Road 54, bringing drivers to the Wesley Chapel Super Walmart, as well as the several car dealerships by the nearby Saddlebrook Resort.
The extension between State Road 56 and State Road 54, with its 45 mph speed limit, has been landscaped with greenery. It also has streetlights to enhance safety at night, sidewalks for pedestrians and dedicated bicycle lanes.
Additionally, starting Aug. 20, Mansfield Boulevard began its pavement rehabilitation project, with crews resurfacing the roadway and adding new markers from Oakwood Preserve Drive to just south of Ganga Way.
The project is expected to take a few weeks to complete, while work hours will be Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Published August 23, 2023
